Apparatus and method for canning fish



Feb. 20, 1951 J. GoiQBY 2,542,133

APPARATUS AND moo FOR cmmmc FISH Filed Aug. :5, 194a a Sheets-Sheet 1 Feb. 20, 1951 J. GORBY Arrm'rus AND usmon FOR cmnmc FISH 8 Sheets-Sheet 2 Filed Aug. 3, 1948 v I 4 IRIII IIV I l| I Feb. 20, 1951 J, QGORBY 2,542,133

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Feb. 20, 1951 J. GORBY APPARATUS AND METHOD FOR CANNING FISH 8 Sheets-Sheet 6 Filed Aug. 3, 1948 INVENTOR Jack: @0 28), BY 7 IQTTOQNEY.

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atented Feb. 20, 1951 OFFICE APPARATUS AND METHOD FOR CANNING FISH Jack Gorby, Los Angeles, Cam.

Application August 3, 1948, Serial No. 42,292

29Claims. -(CL 99-188) The present invention relates to the packaging of food products, and more particularly to the canning oi fish.

Certain difficulties arise in connection with the canning of fish. It is usual to form some fish into individual masses of predetermined dimensions preparatory to their insertion into cans. The formation occurs as a result of compressing the fish, which, in some instances, produces masses of fish lacking in uniformity, apparently due to the variations in the size, shape and texture of the particular fish being compacted. This lack of uniformity affects the appearance of the fish masses in the can.

Tuna fish, and other fishes that are precooked preparatory to canning, have not-heretofore lent themselves to commercial canning without the introduction of extensive hand operations. The fish has been cooked, weighed and packed into cans by hand. During packing, the fish is pressed by hand against the sides of the can or other container. In view of the tendency for the precooked fish to disintegrate, it must be handled carefully, but despite such careful handling pieces break oif, which are collected and packed as grated fish sold at a lesser price. In addition, the contacting or pressing of the fish against the cans may produce its scorching during its final cooking in the can.

It is evident that all of the foregoing hand operations .in the canning of precooked fishes are time consuming and costly. In view of the human element involved, they lend themselves to the introduction of errors, and also present problems in sanitation.

Accordingly, an object of the present invention is to insure the packing of fish in cans, or other containers, with a greater degree of uniformity.

Another object of the invention is to subject masses of fish to a uniform compacting pressure in order to obtain uniform units of fish for insertion into cans and the like.

A further object of the invention is to provide pressuring apparatusfor forming fish into compact masses or units of uniform weight, regardless of the quantity of fish in the apparatus.

Another object of the invention is to provide pressuring apparatus for forming fish into compact masses or units of uniform weight, and which will not perform a compacting operation if insuificient fish is in the apparatus.

A further object of the invention is to provide pressuring apparatus for forming precooked 2 fish. such as tuna fish, into compact masses or units without disintegrating or otherwise adversely aflecting the structure of the fish.

Still another object of the invention is to provide an improved method and apparatus for canning fish, including precooked fish.

A further object of the invention is to eliminate substantially entirely hand operations in the camiing of tuna fish, and other fish usually cooked preparatory to canning.

Another object of the invention is to provide automatic canning apparatus for conveying, cutting and forming fish fillets into predetermined dimensions and weight, and then automatically placing the formed masses into cans.

Still a further object of the invention is to provide automatic canning apparatus, in which very little of the fish, including precooked fish, breaks ofi during the canning operation.

Yet another object of the invention is to provide a method and apparatus for canning fish, including precooked tuna fish and the like, which eliminates substantially all hand operations, and which insures a more uniform and sanitary pack.

A still further object of the invention is to introduce tuna fish and the like into cans in such manner as to prevent their scorching upon final cooking.

This invention possesses many other advantages, and has other objects which may be made more clearly apparent from a consideration of a form in which it may be embodied. This form is shown in the drawings accompanying and forming part of the present specification. alt will now be described in detail, for the purpose of illustrating the general principles of the invention; but it is to be understood that such detailed description is not to be taken in a limiting sense, since the scope of the invention is best defined by the appended claims.

Referring to the drawings:

Figure 1 is a top plan view of a canning apparatus embodying the invention;

Fig. 2 is a side elevation of the apparatus;

Fig. 3 is a section taken along the line 3--3 on Fig. 4;

Fig. 4 is an enlarged vertical section taken along the line 4-4 on Fig. 1;

Fig. 5 is a fragmentary view of part of the pawl and ratchet conveyor drive mechanism;

Fig. 6 is a cross-section taken along the line 6-6 on Fig. 4;

Fig. '7 is an enlarged vertical section taken along the line 1-1 on Fig. 1;

Fig. 8 is a vertical section taken along the line 8-8 on Fig. '7;

Fig. 9 is an enlarged view, partly in section, of a portion of the apparatus as disclosed in Fig. 3;

Fig. 10 is a section taken along the line III-l on both Figs. 3 and 9;

Fig. 11 is an isometric view of the cut-off knife for a partially formed mass of fish;

Fig. 12 is an enlarged vertical section taken along the line l2l2 on Fig. 3;

Fig. 13 is a section, on a reduced scale, taken along the line l3-l3 on Fig. 12;

Fig. 14 is a section through the can feeding mechanism, taken along the line "-44 on Fig. 12;

Fig. 15 is a diagrammatic view of the system for controlling the sequence of operations in the apparatus;

Fig. 16 is a longitudinal section through one form of fluid motor and control valve for operating different parts of the apparatus;

Fig. 17 is a longitudinal section through one form of control valve for determining the different operations of the apparatus;

Fig. 18 is a longitudinal section through an air relay or valve employed in controlling the flow of air to other valve mechanisms and fluid motors;

Fig. 19 is a longitudinal section through a sole noid operated valve employed in the system;

Fig. 20 is a longitudinal section through a fluid motor and another form of control valve for determining the passage of air to and from the motor;

Fig. 21 is an enlarged cross-section taken along the line 2I2l on Fig. 1; and

Fig. 22 is a partial cross-section taken along the line 22-22 on Fig. l.

The apparatus disclosed in the drawings is a machine particularly designed for operating upon fish fillets YY, such as cooked tuna fish. It serves the purpose of compacting a quantity of the fillets to a predetermined size, shape and weight, and then inserting the mass of fish thus produced into a can or other container.

The machine includes a conveyor device AA for feeding the fish fillets, as needed, under a cut-off device BB into an extrusion or compacting mechanism CC. The extrusion mechanism forces the fish into a forming device or turret DD, at which point the mass is severed by a cutof! mechanism EE. The turret device is rotated by an indexing mechanism FF to a forming station GG, at which it is positively centered by an indexing device I-IH, which also aligns it with the extrusion device CC. The mass of fish in the turret is then compacted to its final form, which is usually cylindrical, whereupon an ejecting device JJ discharges it into a can that has been fed in timed relation with the turret wheel to a position in alignment with the formed fish. The canned fish is then moved automatically to another desired point.

The apparatus is mounted upon a suitable supporting frame I0, upon which rests a table II having a horizontal upper surface l2 along which a horizontal main conveyor or feed belt 13 travels. This feed belt, which is preferably metallic, passes over a driving pulley ll at the forward end of the machine, which is keyed, or otherwise suitably attached, to a shaft I rotatable within bearing supports or pillow blocks 16 suitably attached to the supporting frame it. The belt also passes over an idler pulley I! at the rear of the machine, such pulley being attached '4 to an idler shaft 18 rotatable within bearing supports [9 that are adjustable in a direction lengthwise of the machine, in order to appropriately tension the belt.

As disclosed in the drawings, the bearing blocks l9 are slidable within slots or guides 20 formed in a take-up frame 2| secured to the main supporting frame Ill. Adjusting rods 22 are secured to these blocks and have their outer ends threaded for cooperation with companion threads in adjusting wheels 23 adapted to bear against the end of the take-up frame 2|. By appropriately turning the adjusting wheels 23, the bearing blocks I9 and the idler pulley l1 may be moved to and from the driving pulley I4 and shaft IS, in order to place the desired amount of tension in the conveyor or feed belt 13. After the required adjustment has been made, the parts are held in such adjusted position by lock nuts 24 threaded on the rods 22 and adapted to be clamped against the adjusting wheels 23.

Opposed vertical side belts 25 are also provided in overlying relation to the horizontal feed belt I! inorder to confine the fishfilletsYYin their travel toward the extrusion device CC and cutoif knife BB, and also to enable the fillets to be arranged longitudinally and one upon another to a desired height. The side belts are supported or backed up by vertical guide plates 26 extending lengthwise of the machine and engageable with the inner surface of the side belts. These plates are suitably secured with respect to the table II by being attached to spaced brackets 3|, 38.- The belts 25 are rotated by passing around forward driving pulleys 21 and also around rearward idler pulleys 28 arranged to rotate about vertical axes. The forward drive pulleys are affixed to vertical shafts 29 whose upper ends are rotatable within a boss 30 forming the outer end of a bracket 3| secured to the table II by cap screws 32 (see Figs. 7 and 8). The shaft extends through a bearing 33 in the upper portion of the table to a location below the table top, where a driven bevel gear 34 is secured to it by means of a key and keyway connection 35 and a set screw 36. The vertical load on the driving pulley is taken by a suitable end bearing 31 en aging the lower end of the pulley 2'! and the table.

The vertical idler pulleys 2B are secured on shafts 31 rotatable within movable bracket arms 38 mounted on pivot pins 39 oscillatable in vertical bearing blocks 40 attached to the table top. These arms are movable about their respective pivot pins 39 to vary the distance between the driving and idler pulleys 21, 28, and thereby determine the tension in the side belts 25. The tension of each belt is adjustable by a threaded adjusting rod 4| extending through a fixed nut member 42 formed on the upper end of a bracket 43 secured to the table top. The end of the rod M engages the movable bracket arm 38. By rotating the rod, the bracket arm is caused to swing on its pivot pin 38 to suitably tension the side belt 25. After the desired tension has been imparted to the belt, the arm is prevented from swinging toward the driving pulley 21 to slacken the belt 25 by tightening a lock nut 44 threaded on the rod 4| against the fixed bracket nut 42.

The horizontal feed belt l3 and the guiding side belts 25 are driven in the same forward direction at the same linear speed. To accomplish this purpose, the drive is transmitted from a pneumatic feed motor I (see Fig. 4) including a double acting cylinder 46 whose head end is oscillatably mounted on a pivot pin 41 secured to the table II. A piston 48 in the cylinder is attached to a rod 49 extending through the rod end of the cylinder. The rod is conected to a pin 50 extending through the outer end of a pawl holder or arm which is oscillatably mounted upon one end of the shaft l5 to which the driving feed pulley I4 is secured (see particularly, Figs. 4 and 6), A plurality of driving pawls 52 are mounted upon pivot pins 53 secured to the pawl holder 5|. and are engageable with the teeth of a ratchet wheel 54 secured to the drive shaft l5. A nut 55 is threaded on the end of the shaft to hold the parts in proper assembled relation. The pawls 52 are spaced from one another in such manner that only one of them engages a ratchet tooth at any time. This arrangement reduces the amount of lost motion before one of the pawls will engage the ratchet teeth during a power stroke of the driving mechanism 45.

When air enters the head end of the feed motor cylinder 46, the piston 48 is moved in a forward direction to cause one of the pawls 52 to engage the ratchet wheel 56 and rotate the drive shaft l5 and driving pulley it to a predetermined extent. The feeding of air into the rod end. of the cylinder 46 causes the piston to retract without rotating the drive shaft 65, in view of the one way driving characteristics of the pawl and ratchet device 52, 54.

It is evident that angular movement of the drive shaft and drive pulley l4 will move the conveyor feed belt 13 in a forward direction by a predetermined amount. Such motion of the drive shaft is also imparted to the drive pulleys 21 for the side belts to move them in the same direction, at the same speed and at the same time.

Thus, a driving sprocket 56 is keyed on the end of the drive shaft l5, and is prevented from axial movement by means of a nut 51 threaded on the end of the shaft. An endless chain 58 passes over the drive sprocket and over a driven plates 66 closing the U-shaped body 61 on opthrough the lower portion of the extrusion chamr ber 65 along the top of the table H (see Figs. 3, 9, 10).

The fish YY is fed into the entrance 68 by the conveyor belt 13. In passing toward this entrance, the fish moves under a horizontal compacted roller H (Fig. 1) adapted to engage the upper portion of the fish YY and press it downwardly to insure its passage into the entrance opening. This compacting roller may be suitably supported, as by having its trunnions 12 rotatable within the bracket 3| for the vertical drive pulley shafts 29.

The fish is fed by the conveyor belt I3 through the entrance opening 66 in the extrusion chamber 65 until it engages the back wall of the latter, whereupon feedin of the conveyor belt i6 ceases. Thereafter, themass of fish in the chamher is severed from the remaining fish fillets on the belt that have not as yet been moved into the chamber.

The severing device BB includes a supporting bracket 78 extending upwardly from and secured to the upper end of the extrusion chamber 65' by cap screws 16 (Figs. 1, 3, 9, 10) This bracket has vertical guides E5 on its ends, in which a vertically movable knife 16, or shearing blade, is

reciprocable across the face of the entrance 66.

sprocket 59 keyed to a shaft 60 rotatably mounted in bearing supports 6| formed in the table II below its top portion. Driving bevel gears 62 are affixed to this shaft by keys 63 and set screws 64, the gears meshing with the driven bevel gears 34 secured to the vertical driving pulley shafts 29 (see Fig. 7).

The driving bevel gears 62 face in opposite directions, and mesh with the driven bevel gears 34 on opposite sides-0f the axes of the vertical shafts 29, in order to rotate the vertical shafts 29 in opposite directions, and thereby feed the vertical side belts 25 in the same direction. The diameter of the driving pulley I 4, and the diameter of the vertical feed drive pulleys 21 and ratio of the gearing 56, 58,59, 60, 62, 34 is so selected that the pulleys l4 and 21 rotate together at the same line r speed.

Tuna fish YY, or other fish fillets, are, placed upon the feed belt l3, and are conveyed toward the extrusion device CC, which lies transversely of the direction of movement of the feed belt. This extrusion device includes a horizontal extrusion or compression chamber 65 extending completely across the feed belt l3, and having an entrance opening or inlet 66 in alignment with the feed belt (see Figs. 3, 9, 10). The extrusion chamber 65 is of generally rectangular cross-section, including a main body portion 61 of generally U-shape, secured to the table top by cap screws 68, or the like (Fig. 1). The entrance 66 into the chamber is defined by closure The upper end of the knife blade is secured to a head 11 by screws 18, or the like, this head being attached to a piston rod 19 extending upwardly into a cut-ofi. motor 2, including a double acting cut-off cylinder 88, in which it is attached to a piston 8|. Air is fed selectively to each end of the cylinder 88, in order to effect movement of the piston 8| either in a forward or downward direction, or in an upward or retracted direction.

During downward movement of the cutoff knife 16 to sever the mass of fish in the extrusiongchamber 65, the cutting or shearing action is facilitated by a pressure device brought to bear upon the fish externally of the extrusion chamber. This pressure device includes a pressure pad 82 extending across the conveyor belt l3 immediately before the opening 66 and adjacent the outer surface of the cut-off knife. The pad 82 is attached to opposed guide rods 83 extending upwardly through guiding bosses 84 secured to or integral with a cross-piece 85 attached to the upper end of the knife by screws 86. The pressure pad 82 is urged in a downward direction relative to the knife blade 16 and its cross-piece 85 by compression springs 81 encompassing the guide rods 83, with their lower ends bearing upon the pressure pad 82, and with their upper ends bearing against the cross-piece.

Assuming that the fish YY has been fed through the entrance opening 66 into the extrusion chamber 65, air is fed into the upper end of the cutoff cylinder 88 to move the piston 8| and knife 16 downwardly. This downward movement causes the pressure pad 82 to engage the fish and compact it to the extent determined by the force of the springs 81. Following its compacting, the knife blade 16 can continue its downward movement, because of the yieldability of the springs 81, the blade effecting severing of the mass of fish in the extrusion chamber 65, and being disposed completely across the entrance 66 to serve as a closure during the movement of the fish mass within the extrusion chamber itself, as described below.

A ram or plunger 88 (Fig. 3) is movable through the extrusion chamber 85 behind the fish mass to force it progressively into forming pockets 89 in the periphery of the turret wheel 98 of the turret mechanism DD. The ram is urged towards the latter mechanism by an extrusion motor 8, which consists of a double-acting cylinder 9I secured to the end of the extrusion chamber 88. The cylinder 9| contains a piston 92 to which a rod 93 is secured. This rod extends from the extrusion cylinder 9| into the extrusion chamber 88, where it is connected to the ram or plunger 88.

When air is caused to enter the head end of the extrusion motor 3, the piston 92 is moved forwardly, causing the ram 88 to force the fish toward the turret mechanism DD. When air is caused to enter the rod end of the extrusion motor 3, the piston 92 and ram or plunger 88 are retracted.

The outlet end of the extrusion chamber 88 is secured to the housing 94 of the turret forming mechanism DD by cap screws 95, or the like. The compacted or compressed fish is forced by the ram 98 into the generally radial forming pockets 89, which are spaced equiangularly about the periphery of the wheel or turret 98 disposed in the forming housing 94.

As disclosed in the drawings, provision is made for four forming pockets 89 displaced by ninety degrees with respect to each other. It is, 'of course, apparent that the number of forming pockets and their spacing can be varied, if desired.

The forming wheel 98 is keyed, or otherwise suitably afllxed, to a shaft 98 rotatably supported in opposed bearing supports 91 provided in the forming housing 94 and in a forming housing cover 98, which, together, comprise the enclosure for the turret wheel 98. The main housing portion 94 and its cover 98 are suitably affixed to the supporting frame I8, as by the use of cap screws 99. Together they slidably engage the side nishing end closures for the forming pockets 89,

l in order to prevent inadvertent loss of compressed fish therein.

The shaft 98 extends in .one direction from the forming cover, where an indexing plate I88 is attached to it, in order to register appropriately the pockets 89 with the extrusion chamber 65, and also with a forming head or die I8I slidably mounted in the upper portion of the forming housing 94, and movable vertically in forming the fish mass into the desired cylindrical contour.

The compressed fish passes from the extrusion chamber outlet 85a through an opening I82 in an arcuate cut-ofi knife I 83 of the cut-off device EE, which is movable across the extrusion chamber. The cut-ofi knife I83 is movable along a path parallel to the axis of the forming wheel 98, and has its inner surface I83a curved to form a continuation of the periphery of the forming wheel or disc 98. The rear portion of the cutoff mechanism EE includes the knife I83 just referred to, which is longer than the width or thickness of the wheel 98, so as to completely cover each forming pocket 89. It also extends arcuately a greater distance than the arcuate extent of the open end of each forming pocket 89, in order to insure closing of the pocket and full severing of the fish mass in the pocket from the compacted fish at the outlet portion 650. of the extrusion chamber.

The arcuate knife blade I83 is attached to a pair of horizontal, vertically spaced guide bars I84 secured at their forward end to a plate I85, and at their rearward end to a head I88 affixed to a rod I81 extending into the double acting cylinder I88 of an extrusion cut-off motor 4. The cut-oil. mechanismis guided within vertically spaced horizontal grooves I89 formed between the forming housing 94 and the outlet end 880 of the extrusion chamber. By riding in these grooves I 89, the path of travel of the cut-off knife is maintained along a straight line.

When air enters the rod end of the cut-off motor 4, its piston I89 and knife mechanism I83 are retracted, which disposes the opening I82 defined between the cutting edge I83b of the knife blade and the plate I85 in alignment with the extrusion outlet 85a and the forming pocket 89. When air is caused to enter the head end of the cut-oil. motor 4, the knife blade I83 is advanced, to sever the fish mass in the forming pocket 89 from the fish in the extrusion chamber 85, and also to close both the forming pocket and the end of the extrusion chamber. Thereafter, the turret 98 is moved or indexed ninety degrees, to move the pocket upwardly along the arcuate surface of the forming housing 94 into alignment with the forming head I8I.

It is to be noted that the base I I8 of the forming pocket 89 is semi-circular in shape, and that the remaining portion of the pocket is defined by parallel surfaces III tangent to the semicircular base. When the fish in the forming pocket 89 has been moved with the wheel 98 into alignment with the forming head I8I at the forming station GG, the latter is caused to move downwardly to further compact the fish into its full cylindrical shape.

In order to accomplish the aforementioned function, the lower end II2 of the forming head is semi-circular, being shaped in oppcsiticn to the semi-circular base II8 of the forming pocket 89 (Fig. 13). Moreover, the vertical ends II3 of the forming die are adapted to slide within the parallel sides III of the pocket, while the vertical side faces II4 of the forming die are substanially in alignment with the side faces 98a of the turret wheel. As a result, downward movement of the forming die IN, to the extent at which its leading edges substantially coincide with the ends of the semi-circular forming pocket base I I8, compacts the fish mass in the pocket 89 into a cylindrical shape having a, predetermined diameter. In view of the thickness of the forming wheel 98, or the longitudinal distance across the pocket 89, the fish mass also has a predetermined length.

The forming head MI is moved to and from the forming pockets 89 in the turret wheel 98 by a forming die motor I, which consists of a doubleacting cylinder II5 attached to the upper end of the housing 94 by screws H8 or the like. This cylinder contains a piston I I1 secured to a rod I I8 extending through the upper end of the housing and threaded into the forming die I8I. When air is fed into the head end of the forming die cylinder II5, the piston II! is moved downwardly to compact the fish mass in the forming pocket 89 into the cylindrical shape. Entry of air into the rod end of the cylinder effects retraction of the forming die I8I After the fish mass has been shaped cylindrically by the forming die I8I at the upper end of the turret housing 94, the mass is ejected from the latter into cans I I9. or other containers. The

ejecting mechanism JJ includes a discharging plunger I20 contained within acylindrical chamber I2I extending rearwardly from the cover 90 of the forming housing. This plunger I20 is attached to a rod I22 extending into the cylinder I23 of a fluid ejector motor 9. After the fish has been formed, air is fed into the head end of the cylinder I23 to move its piston I24 and the discharging plunger I20 forwardly, which presses the cylindrical mass of fish through a cylindrical guide I25 into a can II9 disposed in alignment with the guid I25, forming pocket 89 and discharge plunger I20. The plunger, of course, has essentially the same diameter as the fish mass and the cylindrical guide I25 so as to insure full ejection of the fish into the open can I I9. The feeding of air into the rod end of the ejector motor 8 then retracts the piston I24 and plunger I20 back within the confines of its enclosure I2I When fully retracted, the forward end of the plunger I20 forms a continuation of the inner surface 900, of the housing cover 98.

The cans H9, whose bottoms are closed, are fed through an intake chute I26 (Fig. 14) onto a can indexing wheel I21 attached to the turret wheel shaft 96 on the side of the housing opposite the indexin plate I00. This can wheel I21 has pockets I28 angularly spaced to the same extent as the forming pockets 89 in the forming wheel 90 and in substantial alignment therewith. After the cans move down the intake chute I26, usually by gravity, and are received within a can pocket I28, they are moved with the turret wheel 90 in an upward direction until they are disposed in alignment with the ejector plunger I20 and guide sleeve I25. When in this position, the bottom Ilsa of each can engages the base of a backing frame i29 suitably secured to the guide sleeve I25, in order to hold the can in position against the force of the plunger I20 when the cylindrical fish mass is placed within the can. Following such placement, rotation of the indexing wheel I2? is continued to effect removal of the can H9 through a discharge chute I30 communicating with the backing frame I29.

The turret wheel 90 and the can indexing wheel I27 are rotated together by means of the indexing mechanism FF, and they are accurately located in alignment with the discharge portion JJ of the apparatus by an index device HH, which also aligns the forming pockets 80 with the extrusion chamber outlet 65a, and with the window or opening I02 in the cut-off knife device.

The indexing mechanism FF (Fig. 3) includes the indexing plate or wheel I00, which is secured to the turret wheel shaft 96. This wheel has peripheral indexing 'or ratchet teeth I 3| ada ted to be engaged by a pawl 'I32 pivotally mounted upon a driving arm I33 oscillatable on the turret Wheel shaft 93. In the specific example disclosed in the drawing, four teeth are illustrated spaced ninety degrees apart, so as to conform to the angular spacing of the turret pockets 89 and can pockets I28. These teeth, however, need not be disposed in the same radial plane as the pockets.

The pawl driving arm I33 is moved by a fluid indexing motor 8, which includes a piston rod I34 pivoted to the arm I33 by a suitable pin I35 and attached to a piston I36 within. the motor cylinder I31, which is pivoted upon the supporting frame I of the apparatus by a suitable hinge pin I38. Entry of air into the rod end of the indexing. motor 6 moves the rod I34 downwardly and causes the pawl I32 to engage a ratchet tooth I3I and advance the indexing wheel I00 to rotate the turret and can wheels 90, I21. Entry of air into the head end of the motor 6 moves the rod I34 in the opposite direction, in which it is ineffective to impart reverse rotation to the indexing plate I00, forming wheel 90 and can indexing wheel I21.

The indexing wheel I00 is moved to a predetermined point upon movement of the driving arm I33 and pawl I32 on a power stroke, which is determines by the index device HH. This device includes a. locating pin I39 slidable within a bracket I40 attached to the turret housing cover 98 by cap screws I4I, or the like. This pin I39 is adapted to be received progressively within holes I42 in the indexing plate I00 extending par.- allel to its axis. These holes are angularly displaced to the same extent as the forming pockets 89 and can pockets I28. When the indexing pin I39 enters a hole I42, the forming pockets 99 are in alignment with the extrusion chamber 65 and the forming die IOI, while the can pocket I28 is in position to dispose a can I I9 supported therein in alignment with the ejector plunger I20. In order to facilitate entry of the pin I39 into the holes I42, the exterior face of the indexing plate I00 is grooved, each groove I43 merging into a hole I42, so as to guide the pin I39 into the latter and insure that the plate I00 cannot overrun the pin.

The pin I39 is urged toward the plate I00 and into its holes I42 by a compressed helical spring I44, one end of which engages the supporting bracket I40, and the other end of which engages a flange I45 fixed to the rod or pin I 39. Movement of the pin into a hole I42 is limited by engagement of the flange I45 with a bracket lug I40a. The pin is retractable by an index pin motor 5, having a cylinder I46 suitably secured to the bracket I40. This motor has a piston I47 fixed to the pin I39, in order that entry of air into the rod end of the cylinder I46 will retract the piston and the pin against the force of the spring I44. When such retraction occurs, the index motor 0 may be operated to cause the driving arm I33 and pawl I32 to advance the turret wheel and can wheel i2? by a predetermined angu ar extent. Before full advance has occurred, the air pressure in the rod end of the cylinder its is bled off, allowing the spring I44 to urge the pin I39 against the outer face of the indexing plate I00, the pin moving inwardly into a plate groove I43 and then snapping into an index hole I42, thereby accurately locating the forming pockets 39 and can pocket I28.

The various parts of the mechanism are so disposed as to effect their operations at prede-.

termined points and under predetermined conditions. If the conditions are not satisfied, the mechanism will not operate. In general, the feed belts I3, 25 are advanced by the feed motor I to move the fish fillets YY through the opening 56 into the extrusion chamber 65. When the feed mechanism or conveyor has so moved to a predetermined extent, the cut-off knife motor 2 is actuated to sever the fish in the chamber 65 from the remainder of the fish on the feed belt I3. In addition, the cut-off knife I6 serves to close the chamber opening 66. Thereafter, the extrusion motor 3 is moved in a forward direction to compress the fish in' the extrusion chamber 65 and force it into a forming pocket 89 which has been aligned therewith by the indexing wheel I00. During such alignment, a preceding charge of fish in a forming pocket 89 has been aligned with the forming die IN, and the can pocket I28 has also been aligned with a forming pocket 89 and ram I20. As described above, such aligning functions are determined by the operation of the indexing motor 8 and of the indexing pin motor 5. Following such alignment, the forming die IOI compacts the fish into the cylindrical shape, while the extrusion motor ram 88 forces the fish through the knife opening I02 into the forming pocket 89 in alignment with the extrusion chamber 85.

when the compressiveforce on the mass of fish in the extrusion chamber 85 and forming pocket 89 reaches a predetermined amount, the cut-off motor 4 is actuated to advance the cutof! knife I03 and sever the fish in the pocket 89 from the balance of the fish in the extrusion chamber ahead of the extrusion ram 88. This severing action also closes the outer end of the pocket 89. The ejector motor 8 is then operated to force the cylindrical quantity of fish out of an upper forming pocket and into a can II9, as

described above. Following the completion of this operation, the ejector ram I20 and forming die Il are retracted, and the turret wheel 90 indexed by the indexing motor 8 and the indexing pin I39 through the required angular extent (ninety degrees) to place the next succeeding forming pocket. with a compacted mass of fish therein. immediately below the forming die IN and the next empty pocket in alignment with the extrusion chamber 85. The cut-oil motor 4 is then retracted to align the knife window I02 with the outlet 85a of the extrusion chamber, whereupon the extrusion ram 88 is actuated again to force the next succeeding mass of fish into the empty pocket.

The control mechanism is so interrelated that the cut-oil knife device EE, indexing mechanism JJ, HH, forming die IN and ejector I20 will only work if the extrusion mechanism CC compacts the fish into a forming pocket 89 with a predetermined force. So long as such force is available, the extrusion motor 3 and its ram 88 will advance intermittently to continue feeding fish into successive empty pockets 89 in the turret wheel 90. If, however, insufficient fish is ahead of the extrusion ram 88 to effect its compacting into the forming pocket with the desired force. the extrusion motor 8 is retracted automatically until its ram 88 is clear of the opening, which act on effects elevation of the cut-ofi knife I8 to a position above the extrusion chamber opening 88. Such elevation eflects automatic advance of the conveyor feed motor I to feed additional fish on the belt l3 through the opening 88 into the chamber 85. Following such feeding, the knife 18 is actuated, the extrusion motor 3 again advances, and the above-described operations are reinstituted in effecting formation of the fish and its ultimate ejection into cans H9.

The operations described above may be performed by the control mechanism disclosed in Fig. 15, with certain of the parts illustrated in greater detail in Figs. 16 to 20, inclusive. In order to clarify the mode of operation of the device, the various air motors have not necessarily been disposed in the relative positions which they occupy in the actual machine.

The conveyor feed motor I, the cut-oil motor 2 at the inlet .88 to the extrusion chamber 85, the extrusion motor 3, the indexing wheel motor 8, the forming die motor I and the ejector motor 8 are all essentially the same. As disclosed in Fig. 16, each motor includes a cylinder I50 with a piston I 5I slidable therein for moving a piston rod I52 extending through the rod end of the cylinder. The head end of the cylinder is provided with a control valve device I53 movable trans versely of the cylinder axis. This valve device determines the admission and exhaust of air through the head port I54 of the cylinder, and also the admission and exhaust of air into and from the cylinder at the rod end of the cylinder, this latter air passing through a passage I55 extending within and along thelcylinder wall from its head end to its rod end.

The main air for moving the piston I5I in the cylinder I50 enters the valve housing I58 through an inlet port I51. This housing contains a slide valve I58 movable across the ports I54, I55 of the cylinder, in order to place such ports either in communication with the housing I58 or with an exhaust port I59 opening outwardly through the valve housing. The slide valve is of generally U- shaped cross-section, and is movable across the ported end of the cylinder I50 by being embraced by flanges I provided on a rod I8I extending in opposite directions from the main air chest or housing I58 into cylinders I82, I83. where they are attached to pistons I84, I which may carry suitable piston rings I 88 for preventing leakage.

Control air may enter either cylinder I82 or I83 to shift the pistons I84, I85 in one direction or the other, and shift the slide valve I58. As disclosed in Fig. 16, the slide valve has been moved to one side of the inlet port I54 by air acting upon piston I84, which permits the main air under pressure to enter the cylinder I50 and move the piston I5I in a forward direction. The other port or passage I55 is communicable, through the hollow slide valve I58, with the exhaust port I 59. If

control air is allowed to enter the other cylinder I 88, it will act upon the other piston I85 and shift it in the opposite direction for the purpose of sliding the valve I58 to a position in which the main air is communicable with the passage I55 leading to the rod end of the piston, thereby retracting the piston I5I in the cylinder I50. The air in the forward part of the cylinder may exhaust through the port I54 and hollow slide valve to atmosphere. From the foregoing it is apparent that valve cylinder I82 determines forward or advancing movement of the fluid motor, and valve cylinder I88 return or retractin movement.

The cut-off motor 4 for manipulating the arm-- ate cut-off knife I03 is essentially the same as motors I, 2, 3, 8, I and 8. It is illustrated in Fig. 20. Its valve control device is somewhat different in that it is provided with a piston I84 adapted to be acted on by air, as in Fig. 16, for the purpose of shifting the slide valve I58 to a position allowing the main air to enter the head port I54 and move the piston I5I and rod I 52 in a forward direction. When the control air in the forward cylinder I82 of the valve is bled oil", a compression spring I81 at the other end of the air chamber I58 bears against the rod I8I and shifts the slide valve I58 to its other position, allowing the air on the head end of the piston to exhaust and the main air to enter the rod end of the cylinder I50 through the passage I55 and retract the cutoil knife I03.

Indexing pin motor 5 is a. single acting motor of essentially the same type as motor 4 and is controlled by the same valve device as motor 4. The only difference is that air is eflfective on the rod end of the cylinder only, to retract the piston and the indexing pin I 89. When this air is al- 7 lowed to exhaust to atmosphere. the compression 18 spring I44 shifts the piston and indexing pin I in a forward direction.

The air for operating the motors is obtained from a main .air supply line 600, whereas the air for performing substantially all of the control functions is obtained from a. control air supply line 500. The passage of air to the conveyor feed motor 1 is governed by the position of the cutofi. motor 2. Assuming that the conveyor feed motor I is retracted, the retraction of the cut-off motor 2 to its fullestextent, in order to open the outlet 66 into the extrusion chamber 65, operates a valve mechanism 0, which allows air to pass to the advancing valve side I62 of the control valve of motor I.

As illustrated in Fig. 15, the control air passes from the main line 500, through the lines SM, 502 and 503, into valve housing C. When the cutoff knife motor 2 is fully retracted, valve C is open, allowing air to flow through line 504, and through a manual control valve V into line 505, and into and advancing end I62 of the valve device, shifting the valve device downwardly, as seen in Figs. 15 and 16, to exhaust the rod end of the motor cylinder and to allow the main air supply to enter the head end of the cylinder. This main air flows through the main line 600 and through the lines 6I0 and 6 into the air chamber I52, then passing through the inlet port I54 into the cylinder 46, forcing the piston 48 and rod 49 in a forward direction, causing the pawl and ratchet device 52, 54 to advance the belt conveyor I3, 25 by a predetermined amount.

The type of control valve C is disclosed'in Fig. 17. It includes a push rod I10 extending from the exterior of the valve housing "I into its interior, where it is provided with flanges I12 embracing a slide valve I13, in order to selectively shift the valve in opposite directions. Air pressure originating in the control line 500 acts upon the rod I10 within the housing and always tends to urge it in an outward direction, which shifts the slide valve I13 to the left (as seen in Fig. 1'7), or to the right when the valve is positioned in the same manner as valve C in Fig. 15. Outward movement of the valve rod I10 shifts the head I13 to prevent the lines 503 and 504 from communicating with each other, the line 504 exhausting to atmosphere through the port I14. When the rod I10 is pressed inwardly, the slide valve I13 is shifted to place the lines 503 and 504 in communication with each other, in order that air will flow into the valve cylinder I62, to shift the slide valve I56 and cause the conveyor feed motor I to advance, in the manner described above. The port I15 disclosed in Fig. 17 is not used in valve C, being closed by a suitable plug.

Similarly, movement of the knifemotor 2 in a forward direction to its fullest extent causes the rod I10 of valve D to be actuated, which places the retracting end I63 of the valve control device in communication with the control air. Valve D is of essentially the same construction as valve C, inward movement of its rod or plunger I10 allowing air to pass through the lines 500, 50I, 502, 503a and through the valve D to the line 506, which shifts the control valve I53 to a motor retracting position, allowing the main air in the line 6| I to pass through the passageway I 55 to the rod end of the cylinder, thereby retracting the conveyor feed motor I.

Movement of the cut-off knife motor 2 and also of the extrusion motor 3 is interrelated with the position of the belt feed motor I. Air may be fed to the advance end I62 of the control valve of cut-off motor 2 from the lines 500, 501, 506, valve B and line 509. The air to the retracting side I63 of the control valve of motor 2 flows through lines 500, 501, 508, valve B and line 5I0. The ability of air to pass to either side of the control valve I53 is dependent upon the position of valve B.

Air to the advancing side I62 of the control valve of the extrusion motor 3 flows through lines 500, 501, 5| I, valve A, line 5I2, valve E and line 5I3. Air to the retracting end I63 of the valve mechanism of motor 3 flows through lines 500, 501, 5H and 5I2 to valve E, from which it flows through line 5I4.

Valves B and E are of the same general type as the control valves I53 of motors I, 2, 3, 6, 1 and 8. As disclosed in Fig. 18, the air can enter the valve chamber or housing 156a, with air being able to flow selectively through one of two ports I16, I11. When air can flow from the airsupply port I18 to one of the ports I16 or I11, the valve head i58a has been shifted so that the other port I11 or I16 communicates with the exhaust port 559a, and vice versa.

The positions of valves B and E and the passage of air to valve E is dependent upon the position of valve A, which is controlled by the conveyor feed mechanism. The valve A is of the same general type as valves C and D, except that it does utilize the port i15 (Fig. 1'7). When its plunger is in an outward direction, which is the position it occupies upon retraction of the conveyor feed motor I, air is permitted to flow through the valve A from the line 5 to line 5I2, which supplies valve E with air. When the conveyor feed, motor I advances to its fullest extent, a projection I 18 on the pawl lever or arm 5i engages the rod I10, pushing it inwardly, which exhausts the air from the valve E chamber through the line 5I2, but allows air to flow from the line 5 into the lines 100 and 10I communi- V eating with one of the pistons I640. of the valve B, shifting the valve in one direction, as to the right, as seen in Fig. 15.

Air can also flow fromthe line 100 through the line 102 for action upon the left piston I64a of valve E, shifting it to the right. When these pistons are shifted to the right following the full advance of the conveyor feed motor I, air-can enter the advancing end I62 of the cut-off motor 2 valve through the line 509, which causes the cut-off knife 16 to advance and sever the fish in the extrusion chamber 65 from the remaining fish on the feed belt I3. Air line 5I2 to valve E. however. is closed because the plunger I10 of valve A has been shifted to the right; so that no motion of the extrusion motor 3 occurs at this point. The extrusion motor 3 will only be actuated after the cut-off knife 16 has been fully advanced to close the extrusion inlet 66, which actuates the valve D and effects retraction of the conveyor feed motor I. When this feed motor retracts, the air in the valve A shifts the plunger I10 outwardly to allow air to flow from lines 500, 501, 5 through valve A and line 5I2 to valve E. Since valve E has previously been shifted to the right, the air can pass through line 5| 3 to the 7 l E to the right. Plunger valves F and G, which rre essentially the same-as valves C and D, determine the shifting of valves B and E to the left. When these latter valves are shifted to the left, air will enter the retracting side I83 of the control valves of motors 2 and 3 and effect their retraction. The shifting of valve B to the left is determined by valve F and can only occur upon full retraction of the extrusion motor 3. On the other hand, the shifting of the valve E to the left is governed by valve G, which is actuated by the extrusion motor 3 when it has been fully advanced.

Air can enter the left side of valve 13 by flowing through lines 588, SDI, 888, 88I, valve F and line 882. When the extrusion motor 3 is in fully retracted position, a projection "9 on the plunger 88 or motor rod engages the plunger rod I18 of valve F, shifting it to the left and allowing air to flow from line Bill to line 882, in order to shift the valve B to the left. This allows control air to flow from line 588, through line 5I8 to the retracting side I83 of cut-oil motor 2 control valve, whereupon main air can enter, through lines 680, 6H! and 8I2, the rod end of the motor 2 to shift the cut-off knife I6 upwardly to retracted position.

After the extrusion motor 3 has moved forward to its full permissible extent, the projection I19 and the mechanism associated with it shifts the plunger I18 of valve G to the right, establishing air communication to the left side of valve E through the lines 888, 883, valve G and line 884. The air then shifts valve E to the left, and, since the valve A plunger I18 is disposed to the left, air can flow through lines 588, 581, SI I, 5I2, valve E and line 5 to the retracting end I83 of the motor 3 valve control, causing the extrusion motor to retract fully, since the main air can now flow through lines 680, GIII, a solenoid operated valve R and line 6I3 into motor 3.

As soon as the extrusion motor 3 begins to advance, valve F is closed, bleeding off the right side of valve B and allowing it to shift to the right when the conveyor feed mechanism "8 again actuates valve A. Similarly, as soon as the extrusion motor begins its retracting stroke, valve G is closed and bleeds off the right side of valve E, allowing the latter to be shifted to the right when the conveyor feed mechanism moves the rod I18 of valve A to the right.

From the foregoing description of the control system, it is evident that the conveyor feed motor I can only be advanced after the extrusion motor 3 and cut-off knife motor 2 have been fully retracted. Similarly, the extrusion knife motor 2 can only advance after the conveyor I3 has been moved to a predetermined extent and has come to rest. The extrusion motor 3 can only be advanced after the cut-off motor 2 has effected the fish severing operation and has moved the knife I6 to a position fully closing the inlet 66 to the extrusion chamber 65.

The extrusion motor 3 is actuated by air entering through the lines 688, Bill and H3 at a predetermined pressure, which may be selected to any desired value, depending upon the extent of compacting to be imposed upon the fish in the extrusion chamber 85. When this degree of compacting or compression has been reached, the air is bled off from the head end of the extrusion motor cylinder 9i; so that the extent of compacting is not exceeded and is held to this predetermined amount. In order to accomplish this purpose, the main air supply to the extrusion motor 3 is determined by a solenoid operated 16 valve R, whose circuit is under the control of a pressure operated switch W.

The solenoid valve R is illustrated in Fig. 19, in which it is seen that air from the line BIII can enter the valve chamber I88 and will pass through a port I8I connected to line BI3, or into a port I 82 communicating with line 682 leading to the control mechanism for the arcuate cutoff knife motor 4. The slide valve I83 in valve R is shiftable by moving a rod I84 whose ends extend through holes or guides I85 in the wall of the valve chamber I88. This rod is moved in one direction or the other by a yoke I88 depending from a plunger I81 extending in opposite directions through two solenoid coils I88, I89. When the left solenoid coil I88 is energized, current passing through it draws the plunger I87 to the left and shifts the slide valve I83 in the same direction, allowing air to flow from line GUI to line 6I3 and into the extrusion motor 3. At this time, the valve control I53 for extrusion motor 3 is in the motor advancing position, air entering the head end of the cylinder 9| and moving the piston 92 and extrusion plunger 88 forwardly.

As the plunger compacts the fish in the extrusion chamber 65 and in the forming pocket 89, the air pressure in the cylinder 92 and valve chamber. increases, this air pressure passing through the line 6 to the pressure switch W. When the air pressure increases to a predetermined amount, the pressure switch W closes, completing a circuit through the right solenoid coil I89 of valve R, shifting the slide valve I83 to the right and exhausting air from the extrusion motor 3 and the line 6I3, thereby preventing any additional compacting force from being imposed upon the fish in the extrusion chamber 65 and forming pocket 89. When this degree of compacting has been reached, the cut-ofi motor 4 is actuated. Actuation of this motor is determined by both the position of the slide valve I83 in valve device R and by the position of control valve S. Air to this latter .valve passes from valve R through line 682.

Control valve S is of the same general type as control valves 13 and E, except that the left lower port I I6 is plugged. That is, when air enters its left end, its valve head I58a is shifted to the right and when air enters its right end, its valve head is shifted to the left. When shiftedto the left, air can pass through the lines 888, Bill valve R, line 682, valve S, and through the line 683 to the advancing end I62 of the control valve for cut-off motor 4. When shifted to the right, air is bled off from the advancing end of the valve, allowing the spring of motor 4 to shift the valve I58 in the opposite direction and allow the main air from the line GUI to pass through ,the line 6 and retract the cut-off knife I83.

Passage of air to the right end of valve S is determined by a solenoid operated valve Q, which may be identical to valve R, except that its left port I82 i plugged. This valve Q is connected to the main air line 880 through the line SIS. Air may pass through this valve and then flow through the line 6| 6 to the right end of valve S. Whether or not such flow of air can occur depends upon the position of the solenoid plunger I81 in valve Q. Coils I88, I89 of valve Q are connected in parallel with the corresponding coils of valve R so that both of the slide valves I83 in valves Q and R move in the same direction at the same time.

Current may pass from a suitable source to '11' I the left solenoid coil I83 of valve Q through the conductors 303, "I, then flowing through the coil I33 and through the conductors 902 and 333 to a switch H, which is normally open and which and through conductors 901, 903 through the switch H, from which the current flows through the conductors 904, 908, thus completing the'clr- 7 cuit.

The circuits through the right solenoid coils of valves Q and R are determined by closing of the pressure actuated switch W. When this switch is closed by air pressure of predetermined magnitude in the extrusion motor 3 and line 8, the circuit through the right coil I89 of valve Q is completed through conductors 900, 90I, the right coil I89, conductors 908, 909, switch W and conductor 905. Current through the right coil I89 of valve R passes from leads 900, 908, through the right coil I89, lines 9I0, 909, switch W and lead 905.

As stated above, the circuits through the right coils I89 of valve Q and R are completed by the closing of the pressure switch W. The circuits through the left coils I88 of valves Q and R are completed by closing of the switch H upon retracting movement of the cut-0E motor 4 and the knife I03 connected thereto.

It has already been stated that the building up of the predetermined amount of pressure in the extrusion motor 3 closes the switch W and completes the circuits through the right coils I89 of valves Q and R, moving their respective slide valves I83 to the right, which exhausts the right side of valve S and also exhausts the air from the extrusion motor 3. As a result of this movement of the valve R slide valve I83, the line 802 leading to the valve S is placed in communication with air in the lines 800, GM, the previous left positioning of the valve S allowing this air to flow through the latter and through the line 803 into the advancing end I82 of the valve for motor 4. The main air then passes through the line 8I4, into the head end of motor 4, advancing the arcuate cut-off knife I03 and severing the flsh which has been compacted by a predetermined pressure or force from the other fish in the extrusion chamber 85. The cut-off knife I03 will only be actuated in an advancing direction when the pressure switch W has been closed, in accordance with the exertion of a predetermined pressure or force on the extrusion motor 3 and ram 88 secured to it.

After the arcuate cut-oil motor 4 and its associated knife I03 have been advanced, the indexing mechanism FF is operated. Its operation is under the control of a valve system now to be described.

Air for retracting index pin motor 8 passes through line 804, into the valve U controlling the flow of air, through the line 805 to the rod end of motor 8. Passage of air to this end is dependent upon the movement of the piston I84 in valve "U against the action of the return spring 181 (Fig. 20). The control air for the valve U passes through lines 500 and 5I5 to the valve I, from where it flows through line 8I8 to the valve L. From valve L the air passes through the 9 18 line 8" to valve T, and from valve T through line 8I8 to'valve U. valves I and L are plunger t es of valves like valve A, while valve T is a piston type of valve like valve 3. When the plungers I10 of valves I and L are shifted to the right. and when valve T is in its left position, air can flow through the lines just mentioned to the valve U, opening the latter valve to the passage of air to the line 808, in order to retract the indexing pin I39 against the force of the compressed spring I44. Valve T is movable to the left when the cut-ofi knife mechanism EE is free from engagement with the plungerl10 of valve I, air flowing from the line BIS, through the valve I and through the line 580 to the right end of valve T, in order to shift it to the left.

The valve L plunger I10 is engaged by the plate indexing or rotating mechanism FF to shift the valve L to the right and allow air to flow through the line 5I1 to the valve T. When the indexing mechanism or motor 6 is moved in a direction to advance the indexing wheel, the plunger, of valve L is released, which discontinues the application of air to line SH and valve T, and allows air to flow through line 5I5, valve I, line 5I8, valve L and line I to the left end of valve T,

shifting this valve to the right and bleeding line 5), which allows the spring I81 to shift valve U in a direction bleeding line 805 and allowing the spring I44 to move the indexing pin I39 back against the indexing plate I 00.

The flow of air to indexing motor 8 is determined by-valves K and J, both of which are of the plunger type. Valve K is similar to valve C, while valve J is like valve A. When the pawl or driving arm I33 of the indexing mechanism is rocked fully to the left, as seen in Fig. 15, to advance the indexing plate I00, it engages the plunger I10 of valve K, allowing air to pass from the lines 500, II9, through valve K and through the lines 822 and 823 to the control valve of motor 8. This control valve of motor 8 is inverted with respect to the showing of the control valves of motors I, 2, 3, 1 and 8. That is, air entering its lower end, as seen in Fig. 15, will actuate the control valve mechanism I53; so that the main air entering the motor 8 through lines 800 and 820 will advance the indexing motor. When the control valve I83 is moved in a downward direction, the main air will enter the rod end of motor 8 and retract the indexing motor. During the retracting movement, the driving arm I33 and its pawl I32 advance the indexing plate I00.

When indexing motor 8 moves in an advancing direction or to the right, the plunger of valve K is released, the air pressure in valve K shifting the plunger I10 outwardly to bleed the lines 522 and 523, the air then flowing through line 520 to valve J. When the indexing pin I39 is retracted. it engages the plunger of valve J, which allows the air under pressure to flow through the line 52I to the other end of the valve chamber I83 of motor 8. This control air, flowing through line 52I, then shifts the control valve I53 of motor 8 and allows air in the line 820 to enter the rod end of motor 8 and shift the pawl arm I33 and pawl I32 in the plate advancing direction.

The coordinated operation of index pin motor 5 and of index plate motor 8 may now be described. As the arcuate cut-01f knife I03 advances, the index pin I39 is located within one of the holes I42 in the index plate I00, in order to accurately align the forming pockets 89 with the extrusion chamber 88 and forming die III,

and the can pocket I28 with th ejector ram I20. When the cut-off knife I03 completes its forward stroke, it engages the plunger I10 of valve 1, shifting the valve I to the right and allowing air to flow through the line 5I6 to the valve L. The plunger I10 of valve L has already been shifted to the right by the pawl arm I33 of the indexing device FF. Accordingly, air can flow from the valve L, through the line 5", to the valve T. Previously, during the time that the plunger I10 of valve I was not engaged by the cut-ofl knife I03, the valve I permitted air to flow from the line 5I5 to the line 550, into the right end of valve T, to shift it to the left. Accordingly, air can now pass through line Bill, to valve U, shifting valve U in a direction allowing air to flow from line 604 to line 605, and to the rod end of index pin motor 5. The piston I41 and index pin I30 are retracted against the compression spring I44, until a projection I30 on the index pin I33 engages the plunger I10 of valve J, allowing communication between line 520 and line 52I leading to motor 6. Since the motor 6 is in its fully advanced position at this time, the driving arm I33 does not engage the plunger of valve K, which is disposed to the right and allows air to flow from line 5I3, through valve K, to line 520. Since the retracting movement of the index pin I30 has shifted the plunger I10 of valve J to the left, the air can flow from the line 520, through line 52I, to the retracting end I63 of the valve device I53 of motor 6. The main air then flows through line 620 to the rod end of motor 6, retracting its piston I36 and moving the pawl driving arm I33 to the left.

As soon as the pawl driving arm I33 is disengaged from the plunger I10 of valve L, which occurs after a slight angular advance of the index plate I00, the rod I10 of valve L is shifted by the air pressure in the valve to the left, which establishes communication between lines 5I6 and 55I, running to the left side of valve T. Since the cut-off knife I03 has shifted the plunger of valve I to the right, line 550 has been exhausted to atmosphere, allownig the air under pressure in line 55I to shift valve '1 to the right. The shifting of this valve to the right bleeds or exhausts line 5I8 running to valve U, allowing its spring I61 to shift the valve U in the opposite direction to exhaust line 605. Exhausting of this latter line allows the index pin spring I44 to shift the pin I33 back against the plate I33. Since the plate has not advanced fully to the next indexing position, the pin I39 merely rides along the flat surface of the plate while-the index motor 6 fully advances the plate, during which movement the pin will ride into a groove I43 and into the next succeeding hole I42. When the indexing pin moves into the hole, it is disengaged from the plunger I10 of valve J, allowing this plunger to move outwardly and exhaust line 52I. At the same time, th indexing motor 6 has been retracted to its fullest extent, which causes the driving arm I33 to shift the plunger I10 of valve K to the left, placing the air line 5I3 into communication with air lines 522, 523, which causes the valve control of motor 6 to shift in the opposite direction and motor 6 to advance. During the advancing movement of motor 6, the index plate I is not actuated, since the pawl I32 merely rides over its peripheral portion.

Th shifting of the plunger I10 of valve K to the left also allows air from line I3 to flow through lines 522 and 524 to the advancing end I62 of the valve device I53 of forming die motor 20 1. The forming die IOI advances or moves downwardly to compact the fish in the pocket 63. which has been aligned therewith previously by the index pin I33.- Air to the forming die motor 'gzplvasses from the main line 600 through the line The position of the forming die IOI controls the ejector motor 8 and also the retracting movement of the forming die motor 1. Air to the ejector motor 0 may pass through lines 500, 525 and 526 to the valve P, from where the air can flow through the line 521 and through a valve N into a line 530 connected to the advancing side I62 of the valve of ejector motor 8. Alternatively, air may flow through lines 500, 525 and 526, through the valve P, into the line 53I, from where it passes into valve M, thence flowing through the line 532 to the retracting side I63 of the valve device of ejector motor 0. Air from line 53I may also flow through the'valve M, through the line 526, to the retracting side I62 of the valve device for forming die motor 1.

The remainder of the air control system at the lower end of Fig. 15, involving valve 0, controls the operation of cut-off motor 4 by determining the shifting of piston valve S. Air may pass through the lines 500, 525, 533, to the valve 0, and from the valve 0 through the line 534 to theleft side of valve S, shifting it to the right and bleeding line 603 and cut-off motor 4.

Valves M and P are of the same type as valve A, while valves N and O are like valve C, in that their plungers I10 are normally forced outwardly by the air pressure in each valve housing. Inward movement of the plungers I10 for valves M and N is effected by a suitable projection I35 on the forming die mechanism IOI. when the forming die is in retracted position, the projection I engages the plunger or rod I10 of valve M, shifting it to the left. When the forming die is in its advanced position, its projection I65 engages the plunger I10 for valve N. Ejector motor mechanism 8 is also provided with a projection I96 engageable with the plunger I10 of valve 0 to move it inwardly, upon retraction of the ejector I 20, and engageable with the plunger I10 of valve P to move it inwardly, upon advance of the ejector.

Forming die motor 1 and ejector motor 6 are originally in their retracted positions. Forming die motor 1 shifts the plunger I10 of valve M to the left, which prevents passage of air to line '523 leading to the retracting side I63 of the valve device for motor 1. The retracted position of motor 0 shifts the plunger I10 of valve 0 to the left, and allows air to flow through lines 500, 525, 533, valve 0, and line 534, to the left side of valve S, shifting the latter to the right and bleeding off line 603, which allows the spring I61 in the valve device of motor 4 to shift the valve device and effect retraction of the cut-off knife I03. As indicated above, when indexing motor 6 is retracted and shifts the plunger I10 of valve K to the left, air can flow through lines 500, 5I9, valve K, lines 522 and 524, to the advancing side I62 of the valve device of motor 1, shifting the forming die IOI in a forward direction into a turret wheel pocket 83 and compacting the fish mass therein into its cylindrical shape.

At the end of its stroke, the projection I95 on forming die device 1 engages the plunger I13 of valve N, shifting it to the right and allowing air to flow through lines 500, 525;, 526, valve P, line 521, valve N and line 530, to the advancing side I62 of the valve device of ejector motor 6, shifting this motor in a forward direction, to cause the ejector or discharge ram I20 to force the cylindrical mass of fish into the can 8. This forward advance of the ejector motor disengages projection I86 from the plunger of valve O and bleeds or exhausts line leading to theleft side of valve S, allowing it to be shifted to the right, depending upon the position of valve Q.

When the ejector motor 8 is at its fullest ad vanced position, its projection I86 has moved the plunger I10 of valve-P inwardly, or to the right, which exhausts the advancing valve side I62 of motor 6, through line 580, valve N and line 528, but which then allows air to pass from lines 500, 525 and 526, through the valve P, to line 53I leading to valve M. Since the plunger of valve M is disposed to the right, the air can pass through valve M and through the line 528 into the retracting side I68 of valve device of motor 1, allowing the main air from line 62I to retract the piston II! of motor I and the forming die I ill from the pocket 89- on the turret wheel 90. Upon full retraction of the forming die, its projection I95 engages the plunger I10 of valve M, shifting it to the left and bleeding the retracting side I63 of motor I valve. At the same time, it allows air to pass from line 53I, through valve M, through the line 532 running to the retracting side I63 of motor 8 valve, which effects shifting of the ejector ram I in a re-- tracting or reverse direction.

A cycle of operation of the entire system may now be traced by referring to Fig. 15. Let it be assumed that motors I, 2, 3, I, I and Bare retracted and that motors 5 and 6 are advanced or extended; manual control valve V is closed; piston valves B, E, S and T are at the left; solenoid valves Q and R are at the left; and pressure switch W is open. Since motor 2 is in the retracted position, valve C is open, which allows air under pressure to be conducted to the inlet side of valve V through lines 500, WI, 502, 503, valve 0 and line 504. Upon shifting of valve V to open position, air will enter line 505 and effect shifting of feed motor I in an advancing direction to operate the conveyor belts I3, 25. At the completion of the stroke of motor I, valve A is shifted to the right, which allows air to shift valve B to the right through lines I00, "I, and also shifts valve E to the right through lines 100, I02. The shifting of valve B to the right allows control air to enter the advancing side I62 of cut-ofl knife motor 2 through lines 500, 501, 508, valve B and line 509. At the commencement of the advance of motor 2, valve 0 closes, bleeding the advancing valve end I62 of motor I. Complete advancing of motor 2 opens valve D, which allows air to flow through lines 500, SM, 502, 503a, valve D and line 506, to effect retraction of motor I.

At the start of its retraction, motor I allows plunger valve A to shift to the left, which allows the control air supply to flow to the valve E through lines 500, 501, II I, valve A and line 5I2. Inasmuch as valve E has previously been shifted to the right, the air can flow through valve E and through line 5i! to the advancing side I 62 of extrusion motor 3. As a result of shifting valve E to the right, the retracting side of motor 2 has previously been exhausted through line 5.

Solenoid valve R is at the left, which allows air to flow from the main line 600, through the line "I and through valve R into the line 6",

which moves the extrusion motor 3 in a forward or advancing direction, eflecting compacting of the fish in the extrusion chamber 65. As the motor I advances, its air pressure rises to asufi'lcient extent, acting through line 6 to close the pressure switch W. Such closing completes the circuits through the right solenoids I89 of valves Q and R, shifting their valves I83 to the right and exhausting or bleeding the air pressure on motor 3 through the line 6I3. shifting of valve Q to the right bleeds the right side of valve 8, which is now supplied with air from line I,

through the valve R and line 602. Since valve 8 is at the left. air can then flow from line 602, through the valve 5, to line 603 to effect the advancing movement of cut-oi! motor 4. At the end of its stroke, cut-oil motor I shifts valve I to the right, allowing air to flow to valve U through lines 500, 5I5, valve I, line 5I6, valve L, line 5", valve '1 and line H8. The left side of valve T has been bled through line I and through valve L.

Motor 5 is retracted against the force of its compression spring I, and, at full retraction, opens valve J, allowing air to flow to the retracting side of motor 6 through the line 52!. At the start of the retraction of motor 6, valve L shifts to the left, bleeding valve T through line 5i! and also bleeding valve U through line 5I8. The bleeding of valve U causes the spring I61 to exhaust motor 5 through line 605, allowing the spring I to shift the index pin I39 against the index plate I00. When this occurs, valve J recloses, bleeding the retracting side of motor 6 valve, which still remains in position to allow air to enter motor 6 through line 620, to effect full retraction of motor 6. Upon its full retrac tion, motor 6 shifts the plunger "0 of valve K. which allows control air to enter the advancing side I62 of motor 6 valve through lines 522 and 523. When motor 6 is fully advanced, it again shifts valve L to the right and allows the valve T to be pressured through the line 5". Valve T, however, is in the right position, bleeding the valve U through line 5I8.

At the same time that motor 6 advances, forming die motor I also advances, since air can enter its control valve I53 through lines 522 and 525. Full advance of motor 1 causes it to open valve N, allowing air to flow to the advancing side I 62 of motor 8 through lines 525, 526, valve P, line 521, valve N and line 530. Full advance of motor 8 shifts the valve P plunger I10 to the right, allowing air to flow from the valve P through line 53I, and through valve M and line 528, to retract motor I. When motor I retracts, it shifts valve M to the left, which then allows air in line 5II to pass through valve M into line 532, to effect retraction of motor 8. When motor 8 retracts, it opens valve 0 and allows air to flow through line 534 to valve S, shifting this valve to the right, which bleeds the advancing valve portion I62 of cut-oil motor 4. The spring I61 shifts this valve, causing the air in line 6 to retract motor 6. As motor 4 retracts, a projectlon 200 on the cut-off knife device engages the switch H and closes it, to energize the left solenoids I88 of valves Q and R, and effect shifting of these valves to the left. Such shifting of valve Q shifts air relay S to the left, but the left shifting of valve R closes the lines 602, which depressurizes valve S.

Extrusion motor 3 again advances, compacting the fish in the extrusion chamber and forming pocket 89, and the foregoing cycle of operation of the motors 4 to B, inclusive, is repeated. Such repetition will occur until extrusion motor 3 makes a full advance to shift valve G to the right, which allows air to flow through line 804 and shift valve E to the left, which causes air to fiow through line 5 is to the retracting side I63 of motor 3 valve. This produces full retracting movement of the motor 3. When this occurs, valve F is opened which causes control air to move through line 802 to the right side of valve B, shifting it to the left and allowing air to fiow through line 5i0 to the retracting side I63 of cutoff knife motor 2, which retracts fully to elevate the knife blade 16 above the extrusion chamber opening 66. Full retraction of motor 2 opens valve C, and causes feed motor i to advance, to shift the conveyor belt i3 and feed additional fish into the extrusion chamber 65. The foregoing complete cycle of operation of all of the fiuid motors and valves then reoccurs.

It is, accordingly, apparent that a method and apparatus of canning fish has been devised, which insures the compacting of the fish, prior to its placement into the cans, with a uniform force regardless of the quantity of fish in advance of the extrusion plunger or ram 88. As a result, the masses of fish placed in the cans are all of uniform weight and of essentially uniform appearance. The mechanisms effecting the compacting action directly on the fish all have smooth surfaces, and, therefore, do not perform any tearing action upon the fish mass. Consequently, precooked fish, such as tuna fish and the like, are not disintegrated and remain in a cohesive state.

All operations are automatic, obviating the need for-manual handling of the fish after it has been placed upon the conveyor belt. Once the mechanism has been set to perform its operation, it continues to do so, with assurance that only fish of predetermined size, shape and weight will be formed for insertion or ejection into the cans. Since the diameter of each fish mass is preferably less than the inside diameter of the can, scorching of the fish upon subsequent cooking is avoided.

The inventor claims:

1. In a method of canning fish fillets: the steps of piling a quantity of said fillets generally parallel to each other so as to form a series of fillets in transverse arrangement; feeding said fillets in a direction longitudinally of their fibers; severing a mass of fillets from said quantity transversely of their fibers; compacting said mass with a predetermined maximum force applied transversely of said fibers; severing a portion of said compacted mass from the remainder of said mass longitudinally of said fibers; and compacting the remainder of said mass by the application of said predetermined maximum force applied transversely of said fibers.

2. In a method of canning fish fillets: the steps of piling a quantity of said fillets generally parallel to each other; feeding said fillets in a direction longitudinally of their fibers so as to form a series of fillets in transverse arrangement; severing a mass of fillets from said quantity transversely of their fibers; compacting said mass with a predetermined maximum force applied transversely of said fibers; severing a portion of said compacted mass from the remainder of said mass longitudinally of said fibers; compacting the remainder of said mass by the application of said predetermined maximum force applied transversely of said fibers; and repeating the foregoing cycle by severing a portion of fish from said remaining compacted mass longitudinally of said fibers and compacting the mass then remaining by the application of said predetermined maximum force applied transversely of said fibers.

3. In a fish canning apparatus: a fish compacting chamber; means for advancing fish into said chamber; a ram for compacting fish in said chamber with a predetermined maximum force; means for severing a portion of said compacted fish from the remainder of the fish in said chamher; and means for effecting application of said ram against the remaining fish in said chamber with said predetermined maximum force.

4. In fish canning apparatus: a fish compacting chamber having an entrance; means movable in said chamber for compacting fish therein;

means for advancing fish through said entrance into said chamber; means at said entrance for severing fish in said chamber from fish on said advancing means; and means for retracting said compacting means upon its movement in said chamber to a predetermined point.

5. In fish canning apparatus: a fish compacting chamber having an entrance; means movable in said chamber for compacting fish therein; means for advancing fish through said entrance into said chamber; means at said entrance for severing fish in said chamber from fish on said advancing means; means for retracting said compacting means upon its movement in said chamber to a predetermined point; and means for effecting retracting movement of said severing means and advancing movement of said advancing means in response to retraction of said compacting means.

6. In fish canning apparatus: a fish compacting chamber; means movable in said chamber for compacting fish therein; and means for releasing said compacting means in response to its exertion of a predetermined maximum force on fish in said chamber.

7. In fish canning apparatus: a fish compacting chamber having an entrance and an exit; means movable in said chamber for compacting fish therein; means for advancing fish through said entrance into said chamber and out through said exit; severing means adapted to be advanced across said entrance; and means for effecting retraction of said severing means from said entrance after movement of said compacting means across said entrance.

8. In fish canning apparatus as defined in claim 7: wherein said severing means is arranged to close said entrance when advanced thereacross.

9. In fish canning apparatus: a fish compacting chamber having an entrance and an exit; means movable in said chamber for compacting fish therein; means for advancing fish through said entrance into said chamber and through the exit; severing means adapted to be advanced across said entrance; means for effecting retraction of said severing means from said entrance after movement of said compacting means across said entrance; and means for effecting movement of said advancing means in response to retraction of said severing means from said entrance.

10. In fish canning apparatus: a fish compacting chamber; a plunger movable in said chamber for compacting fish therein; and means for releasing said plunger upon its exertion of a preggtermined maximum force on fish in said cham- 11. In fish canning apparatus: a fish compacting chamber; a plunger movable in said chamber for compacting fish therein; means for exerting a 

